Applied Behavior Analysis

Applied Behavior Analysis is the process of systematically applying interventions based upon the principles of learning theory to improve socially significant behaviors to a meaningful degree, and to demonstrate that the interventions employed are responsible for the improvement in behavior.1

ABA is a discipline that employs objective data to drive decision-making about an individual’s program. That is, data are collected on responses made by the individual to determine if progress is being made or not. If progress is stagnant with a particular intervention, the program needs to be reevaluated and changed to increase progress.

ABA principles exist that can be used to either increase or decrease that behavior. As a discipline, ABA providers are focused on the improvement of socially significant behaviors. Socially significant behaviors include communication, social skills, academics, reading and adaptive living skills such as gross and fine motor skills, toileting, dressing, eating, personal self-care, domestic skills, and work skills.